London

It’s approaching nearly 5 years since I was last in London.
Unbelievable.
My last time was on 18th December 2019 for some consulting.
Covid came along early in 2020 and blocked all travel for a while.
Then we were in Belgium and the Netherlands from June of 2021 for another 3 years.
Yesterday, it felt good to be back on the warmest day of the year.
32C! It was hot!
In amongst some business networking, I visited with a great friend in Parliament – Julie Jones and we talked all about Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB).
It was a real delight to catch up after so long.
I stopped by South Kensington too.
As an 18-year-old, I spent a lot of time as a young missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in and around that area.
That was 40 years ago now!
It felt as if the platform was exactly the same.
Many memories came rushing back for me, as I thought about the many times I’d been on the platform before.
Later it was off to Kensington, to meet up with Emerson Randle, one of our missionaries from Belgium and the Netherlands.
She is in London for a summer internship.
It was an absolute joy to be with her for a wee while and reminisce.
Sweet memories for us both came flooding back.
The visits with Julie, Emerson and to South Kensington – all have one thing in common.
The connection – Jesus Christ.
This quote from C.S. Lewis, sums up perfectly how I feel about yesterday and being with dear friends and special places.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.”
It is because of Him that I see what is possible in our lives.
And so can you too.

Pruning

Since returning home four weeks ago, Monic has spent quite a bit of time in the garden.
She loves it!
It is actually hard to keep her out of the garden!
She is always up for tackling whatever job there is at hand.
If I can’t find her in the house, then I know exactly where to find her!
Yesterday afternoon, it was the turn of the holly tree.
I had to help hold the ladder whilst she tackled the huge tree that had grown so much over the last three years.
Looking carefully, Monic identified what needed to be pruned.
I watched her lopping off some big branches and felt a little sorry for the tree, as it looked a bit painful.
Ouch!
Pruning changes the whole shape and future of the tree.

Is it your turn?

You know, we’re also a little like trees.
From time to time, we need may some pruning too, so that we can grow as God intended.
Its either to remove dead branches or in this case where there has been so much growth, you and I need to be pruned, shaped or moulded.
It can happen at different times and in different areas throughout our lives.

In the scriptures…

In John 15:2 Jesus Christ explains that “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Sometimes I even ask myself, if I need to have some dead branches that need lopping off, those that may be hindering my own relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Even though it can be painful and a little uncomfortable, the best thing you can do is let the Master Gardner, do His pruning.
He has great plans for your life.
Its only after those sometimes-painful experiences that you will truly see the fruits of the labours.
After Monic was finished pruning, the holly tree was nearly where it needed to be. In her words its “90%. It’s a lot better.”
Why not look up Hugh B. Brown’s masterful talk from 1968 “God is the Gardner”.
Sometimes His pruning is a little painful.
But ultimately, if we trust His plan, we will most definitely bloom.
How is the Lord pruning you?

Familiar Lessons

We’ve been home in Scotland for 3 weeks.
Already, I have learned some old familiar lessons.
For the last 3 years, our focus on our missionary efforts, meant that our time to stay up to date with news and current affairs was at best, limited.
For certain, content standards and regulations about what can be shown on the news in the Netherlands were far less restrictive than here in the UK.
The images and footage shown were starker, never sanitized or blurred as shown here.
However, regardless of which news channel you watch, it is clear that in our day, we are living through a period of wickedness, tribulation, calamity, peril and great distress.

The Rising Generation

I know for many of the rising generation, their hopes of a bright future are filled with anxiety and despair.
I think we’ve all had times of confusion.
I am a church man and have faith in God, His Son Jesus Christ and the great plan of Salvation.
Much has been written about the calamities that will overtake this generation.
Yet, I find great comfort in this pattern.

There is Hope

Make a serious study of Matthew 24 (include the inspired version).
Then study Doctrine and Covenants 45.
Followed by Sections 101 and 133 of the Doctrine & Covenants.
Finally, review section 38 of The Doctrine & Covenants.
In the first few weeks of our missionary service, we attended a conference in Copenhagen.
At one point in the conference, tensions increased as a difficult topic was discussed.
Elder Massimo De Feo, a General Authority Seventy, who was presiding, asked for a video to be played by Sissel, “Slow Down” from the Pioneer Concert of 2019 in Salt Lake City.
Immediately, the tension dissipated.
The room was filled with a tender, beautiful spirit of love.
I will never forget that moment and will cherish the feelings that pierced my heart – forever.
The words and message of the song are powerful and I used it constantly throughout our missionary service.
“In the midst of my confusion
In the time of desperate need
When I am thinking not too clearly
A gentle voice does intercede.
Slow down…..”
In our final Mission Conference, Emma Holmes and Brigitta Broadbent shared their own beautiful version with us.
I invite you to “Be still and know that I am God” – Psalms 46:10

Landmarks

On Thursday, I met up with a friend for lunch and enjoyed a moment by one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Forth Railway Bridge.
Opened on the 4th of March 1890, it has stood the age of time.
Landmarks give us a true sense of place.
The Eiffel Tower, The Grand Canyon, The Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China, Mount Rushmore, The Acropolis, Big Ben, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Colosseum, Stonehenge, Niagara Falls and so forth…
𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌: “An object or a feature of a landscape or city that has importance or makes a place easily recognisable.”
Landmarks form markers, or reference points for orientation and direction, for travel and communication.
40 Cruise Ships this summer in the Firth of Forth are testament to the fact that the bridge is a significant landmark and a popular tourist attraction.

Dad’s story

I shared with my friend a story my dad told me about the bridge.
6.5 million rivets were used in the construction of the bridge.
They’re no ordinary rivets; these are 8 centimetres long and 4 centimetres wide, that binds the structure together.
Dad was a train driver for most of his life travelling over the bridge many times. He told me that one of those rivets was made of gold.
It has long been painted over many times, and I’d guess few, if anyone knows which one of those 6.5 million, is the gold one.
Landmarks often evoke a sense of awe and wonder to people all around the world, whether they are natural or man-made.
They often tell us the story of human history, of a time long past, yet oft breath-taking and still relevant today.  They also serve as a point of interest and pride for the locals.

Landmarks in Life

Reflecting upon the significance landmarks in my life, a rather unusual one came to mind.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained: “The scriptures are the word of God. They are God’s landmarks that show the way we should travel in order to draw closer to our Saviour and reach worthy goals.”
The scriptures have been a great marker and a point of reference.
They provide direction for travel in my own life and have helped me to understand the vital importance of communication with God.
Indeed, they are an essential landmark for me and millions of others.
There are 3,116,480 characters in the KJV of the Bible, 783,137 words, or 31,102 verses of scripture.
Each character, each word, each verse, are as vital to the Bible as the 6.5 million rivets are to the Forth Railway Bridge.
And if you look long and hard enough, there isn’t just one, but thousands of golden “rivets” to be found.
Go on, take a look!

Collaboration

Working together, with a group of returned missionaries is such a joyful delight.
Last night, despite being geographically dispersed, literally thousands of miles apart, through the marvel of technology, we were focused, unified and purposeful in the pursuit of a new book project.
Our working title – “𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒕 – 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑮𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒔”
It is a collaborative effort.
Collaboration: “is the act of working together to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research.”
I certainly liked the feeling of being a team again.
Any successful collaboration requires our time as well as effort to communicate and gain understanding.
Whilst serving in Belgium and the Netherlands, each of them learned that to be successful in their work, they must be together, as one.
Creating a culture of collaboration was essential in the mission field, and now a new opportunity has arisen for them to co-create in a collaborative way.
Together they shared their views, we heard different perspectives, and received a broader understanding of the project at hand in a respectful and loving way.
It was captivating, engaging and quite frankly just so exciting to be working together again.
I was so grateful to sit in counsel once more with so many of my dear friends.
Individuals brought their own unique perspectives to our discussions, which is of course highly desirable in any great collaboration.
I count it a great blessing and privilege to work with each one of them.
It was as if we’d switched on a powerful divine light as we collaborated and shared ideas.
We began to understand each of our roles and how the project work will move forward.
Through experience, we all know the best collaborators also need to be great communicators.
We learned that successful collaboration allows for lots of benefits to emerge that are essential to success, including delegation, innovation, planning, persuasion, agility, and speed.
And we got off to a marvellous start!
It feels that all of this experience didn’t just happen by accident, or random chance, but rather by divine design.
I can’t wait to meet again in two weeks’ time.
How do you feel about working in a collaborative team?

Lost and Found

Meet Blue.
On returning home two weeks ago, our youngest daughter Cristi, moved into student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed there.
Subsequently, we have become the caretakers of her cat, Blue.
Now, I am not a cat lover.
It’s not been the easiest of adjustments for sure.
Monic has done much better than me!
Daily, Blue is in and out of the house, all day long.
However, yesterday, we were a little concerned as neither of us had seen Blue for over 24 hours.
Going to bed last night, we reckoned it was nearing 30 hours.
Now that may be common for cats, but admittedly, we were both concerned.
Arising early this morning, what do we hear at the front door, but a meowing cat, hungry, cold, in need of some attention and love.
It is now sat purring on my knee, falling asleep.

Bible Scriptures

I am reminded of the stories of the lost shared by Jesus Christ, in Luke chapter 15.
The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The Prodigal Son.
M. Russell Ballard taught “If for any reason you … have lost your way, then you need only apply the Saviour’s teachings from Luke, chapter 15, to correct your course. … Why did Jesus teach these parables? He wanted us to know that none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way again through His Atonement and His teachings.”
I know in life, many can lose their way.
Yet, every soul is of equal worth to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the worth of each soul is so great that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will go to every effort to seek out, find, and save each one—one by one.
Recently, President Russell M. Nelson said “At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts. But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to “the one” in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.”
I’m actually feeling a little joyful this morning, that Blue is home – safe and well.
Similarly, I know that as you find your way home to Jesus Christ, you’ll feel joyful too.

New Friends

Last week, whilst on BBC Radio 4’s “Beyond Belief”, the final question asked to the panellists was “Does evangelism (missionary work) actually work?”
Responding, I said, “Absolutely!”
Like many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing the gospel daily in normal and natural ways is in my DNA!
Last year there were 251,763 new converts of the church around the world.
That equates to 690 new members every day, or 29 every hour.
Post covid, the rate of church growth is accelerating, with an annual increase of 22% year on year.
And why is that so?
Firstly, I believe that it is to do with the times in which we all live.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” – 2 Timothy 3:1
We live in such times, and many people are searching for something.
During the last 3 years, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to be deeply involved in missionary activities of the church in Belgium and the Netherlands.
It was a labour of love.
Doing so, has helped me understand the Saviour’s great commission to His disciples (you and me) to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” – Matthew 28:19.
Many are finding peace, joy, comfort and reassurance in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, no matter where you are on planet earth you will find missionaries of the church.
They are pretty distinctive, with their nametags and white shirts.
Today there are 74,000+ young missionaries and another 29,000 senior missionaries serving around the world.
Last night, Monic and I made some new friends in two of those, serving here in our area.
Both come from large families.
Cash Lunt is from Arizona, he is the eldest of 7 children
and Bernardo Machado is from Brazil, he is the eldest of 8 children.
Daily, just as the disciples of old, they go forth throughout Dunfermline and beyond, to invite others to Come unto Christ.
If you see them today, why not stop, talk with them and make some 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔.
Their message will literally change your life for the good.

Familiar Melody

A few weeks ago, Monic and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of music and dance with BYU Living Legends in Brussels.
Living Legends presents a vibrant spectacle of energy, music, costume, and dance that celebrates the cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific.
As I was listening to the music that evening, there was one song that had a very familiar haunting melody.

The Words…

I listened intently to the peaceful, uplifting music and words…
“Go, my son, go and climb the ladder.
Go, my son, go and earn your feather.
Go, my son, make your people proud of you.
Work, my son, get an education.
Climb, my son. Go and take a lofty view.
From on the ladder of an education,
You can see to help your Indian Nation,
And reach, my son. Lift your people up with you.”
It had a calming, soothing influence on all of us gathered in the auditorium.
The words flowed with a warm feeling and enlightened my mind, as I considered all of our missionary sons and daughters who had gone, climbed and lifted so many others.
Yet, there was more.
From somewhere long ago, I had experienced this feeling of musical joy before.
I recalled the song from a touring BYU group entitled “Ancient America Speaks”.

Back Home…

Now back home, and tidying out my office this week, lo and behold, what did I discover in a box of paperwork, but the original flyer for the production of the show in January 1976!
I recall many members of our local congregation sang in the supporting choir.
A moment of pure serendipity for sure.
Similarly, my experience these last few years has helped me understand that when missionaries teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone who is sincere in their desire to learn more about Him, its as if a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 begins to ring in their ears.
These moments of whispered inspiration are as if you are learning familiar things.
I know that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ echoes a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 to all those who will take time to stop and listen.
How does the gospel feel like a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 for you?

Return to Edinburgh

The phrase “a return to Edinburgh please” is one I have used all my life.
I noticed a few changes at the train station, Dunfermline Town, was now Dunfermline City.
The fare was surprisingly cheap, £8.20!
It seems the government subsidises travel until September. Every day is a “cheap day return.”

The Royal Mile

Arriving in Edinburgh yesterday, it was very busy, especially on the Royal Mile.
I learned that King Charles and Queen Camilla were at St. Giles Cathedral for the Order of the Thistle Service.
I headed down to the BBC Studios for a Radio interview.
On returning home, I was asked to represent the church at a discussion series for BBC Radio 4, Beyond Belief, to discuss the place and nature of faith in today’s world.

Evangelism

The question to be explored in the programme was about evangelism today.
𝑬𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒎 – “the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.”
What does it mean to different people/ traditions/ groups of people of faith?
What is the task for those still committed to spreading the good news face to face, or how has the task changed?
Is it a religious obligation?
What are the techniques favoured in 2024, do they work and what are the practical, moral and spiritual issues they raise?
After presiding over the Belgium Netherlands Mission with Monic for the last 3 years, I’m certainly familiar with “evangelism” or in more familiar lingo, missionary work and preaching the gospel.
Other panel guests located in different UK studios, included a Church of England (Anglican) Minister, a lecturer in Islamic studies and chaired by a journalist/broadcaster who was also an Anglican Vicar.
It was a fascinating discussion.
I very much enjoyed it.
Although, I think I was a little rusty and out of practice and I may have dropped a clanger or two!
To hear more, you’ll have to tune into next week’s “Beyond Belief” episode!
Afterwards, I headed back up the Royal Mile to meet with my good Belgian buddy, David Geens.
We’d worked side by side in Public Affairs/Communications in Europe for many years.
Although we’d met a few times over the last three years whilst in Belgium and the Netherlands, the demands of mission life were such, that we’d never been able to really catch up.
Slowing down to have lunch together, was a real joy.
Another joyful reunion and a wonderful return to Edinburgh!

Fleeting Visit

Yesterday, I had the briefest of opportunities to meet up with one of our returned missionaries Libby Wilcox, whilst she was visiting in Scotland for a couple of days with her mum and sisters.
It was the first of what I’m sure will be many visits from our missionaries who we served with in Belgium and the Netherlands.
We kept our visit simple. We only had 2 hours!
It was great fun to reminisce.
Visiting the Wallace Monument in Stirling and chatting over lunch, was special.

Life

We shared a few life updates.
Sharing feelings about our stories together was memorable.
But just being able to be close and hold tightly to those who matter most, was best of all.
Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat.
It really helps to slow things down.
Simplify things.
Enjoy the moment.
Take one step, one piece, one chunk, one bite at a time.
And remember, loving one another is so supremely important.
“𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈” – something that happens really fast, or something that doesn’t last as long as you’d like.
Hans Christian Andersen, a great story writer, said this: “Time is so fleeting that if we do not remember God in our youth, age may find us incapable of thinking of him.”
And in the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Alma said: “… learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. ” Alma: 37:35.
Working with 300+ youthful (18 – 26 year old) missionaries has taught me that we have to be present and always enjoy the moments we have together, as life is fleeting.
In hindsight, I can so relate to Jacob 7:26 “…the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream…”
Jacob describes the fleeting moments and hours of our life so well.
Moments simply blend into hours, hours into days, days into years, years into decades.
Being with Libby yesterday, was real, I know it wasn’t a dream.
How can you slow down those fleeting moments today?